Book: Bringing Nature Home

Bringing Nature Home

How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens

by Douglas W. Tallamy

Tallamy's research as an entomologist make a poignant, positive and pro-active argument for using native plants in our gardens. Many advocates of native plants for gardening and restoration have suspected for many years that non-native, alien ornamental plants do not provide much environmental benefit. Now we have the proof. This books is based on scientific evidence that native plants and native plant communities are essential to support insect populations and the bird populations that feed on them.

He suggest that gardeners can "make a difference" in their suburban or urban communities by creating habitat on their properties using native plants.

This book includes very informative pictures and native plant lists that relate to insects. Many of the native plants listed in this book are native to the Midwest.

Book: Birdscaping in the Midwest

Birdscaping in the Midwest

A Guide to Gardening with Native Plants to Attract Birds

by Mariette Nowak

This is one of the most important books on landscaping to become available in years! While most gardening books are coffee table books that recycle the same garden images, the book provides us fresh information about landscaping for birds.

Birdscaping in the Midwest illustrates, in detail, the fundamental relationships between native plants and birds. Mariette Nowak shows gardeners and landowners will find how they can deepen their relationship to the natural environment.

Highlight found in this book: bird-focused landscaping, native plant lists, garden designs, many informative pictures, sustainable practices in the landscape.

Legumes: The Beauty of Nitrogen Fixation

LEGUMES
Native to Minnesota



These plants are beneficial to native plant gardens because they help enhance the nitrogen fixation in soils by soil rhizobium (beneficial bacteria). If we integrate these types of native plants with other native plants in residential "prairie gardens" or "savanna gardens" in increases the overall health and longevity of our gardens. These plants look great when planted in groups or clusters.



Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) Native to WI

Wild senna (Cassia hebecarpa) Native to WI

Hog peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata)

Round headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata)

False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) Shrub

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) Small Shrub

Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpureum)

Silky prairie clover (Dalea villosum)

Wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota)

Canada milkvetch (Astralagus canadensis)

Showy tick trefoil (Desmodium canadense)

Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Prairie indigo (Baptisia bracteata)

Dwarf False Indigo (Amorpha nana)

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

Corylus americana:

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

In the past year (2008) I have been asked many many times....

Q: Does this plant need to have a male and a female plant to cross pollinate in order to produce fruit?

A: No,this plant is monoecious. It has both sexes are on the same plant.

This plant is slow to develop at first. I recommend starting with a #5 container size (24"-30" ht.). It takes 4 to 5 years for this plant grow large enough to develop fruit (hazelnuts). This confuses many people who are eager to have fruit. This plant really needs to be in mostly sun during the day. If American Hazelnut is in too much shade it will produce little or no fruit. This confuses many people who are eager to have fruit. In the meantime, enjoy its structure, fall color and habitat cover until the fruit arrive.

More information is available at USDA.
http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_coam3.pdf

Wildflower Berries for the Birds

Wildflower Berries
Native to Minnesota

Fruits on these plants appear in September-October. The fruit are important for birds as they prepare for migration. These plants are usually found along woodland margins and open woods. In other words, these plants do well in partial sun.
I highly recommend for gardens that are for the birds.


Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
Aralia racemosa (American Spikenard)
Smilax herbacea (Smooth Carrion Flower) Very smelly during bloom
Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon's Seal)
Smilacina stellata (Starry False Solomon's Seal)
Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's Seal)
Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh)
Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh; Bugbane) Native WI
Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry)
Actaea pachypoda (Doll's Eyes)
Maianthemum canadense (Wild Lily-of-the-Valley)

American Native Tea?

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

From The Boston Gazette, 1768: "Tea made from a plant or shrub (Ceanothus americanus) grown in Pearsontown about 20 miles from Portland, Maine, was served to a circle of ladies and gentlemen in Newbury Port, who pronounced it nearly, if not quite, its equal in flavor to genuine Bohea tea.

So important a discovery claims attention, especially at this crisis. If we have the plant, nothing is wanted but the process of curing it into tea of our own manufacture." This brew was quite popular during the American Revolution, instead of British tea.

It had many colloquial names: New Jersey Tea, Indian Tea, Walpole Tea, and Redroot, among others. Ironically, it was also shipped to Great Britain and the rest of Europe, as one of America's earliest exports.

To brew your own, first roast the leaves of Ceanothus americanus (available in herb shops and health food stores) in a "slow oven," about 250-300 degrees F., until crisp. Steep the roasted leaves in a cup of boiling water, about one teaspoon per cup. Add honey or brown sugar to taste.

Source http://www.umaine.edu/ceskl/Dishrag10,11,12%2004.pdf as the text appeared at this website.

Photo credit: erik james olsen.

Why is Rain Water Best For Plants?

Yesterday was the first day of Fall (Autumnal Equinox), and today September 23rd is the first "full day of autumn". Today it rained off and on again throughout the day. We received about 8/10th of an inch in total. This is excellent! This summer was hot and dry and we have been receiving precipitation again.



Today I visited with a client of mine. After discussing a landscaping proposal we both agreed that it was nice to see some much needed rain. My client then proceeded to tell me about the benefits of rain water versus tap water. He told me that rain water is more oxygenated than tap water, has a lower pH, and doesn't have chlorine in it. Our local city tap water is around pH 7.0, has low oxygen content and has chlorine and fluoride in it.



According to my client, plant root systems can uptake nutrients better when the pH is between 5 and 6.8. Plants really perk up after rainfall, and he as even seen where oxygenating devices were used to increase the yield of tomatoes and strawberries.



He even suggested that lightning may play a part like electrolysis to charge particles in rain, that additionally benefits plants.



Rain harvesting with rain barrels is becoming more popular practice because only 2.5% of the earths water is naturally fresh water. Our planets human population (over 6.6 billion) is souring and there is a need to conserve municipal water, and rain water for use.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis

Ht. 6-9" W 6".
Prefers mesic loam soils. Partial sun to filtered light. Two basal leaves clasp the flower stem like "hands" then the leaves and white flower open in early May.

Native to deciduous woodlands, flood plains, near shores and wooded slopes. Rhizomatous. Zone 4.

During the last week in April and the first week in May, this plant goes through an amazing transformation.

This plant does well in quiet, shaded places in urban and sub-urban yards as well. I use this plant as an "accent" or a subtle detail within the garden for two reasons, a.) this plant looks great until June and then goes dormant for the season b.) this is an expensive plant in the nursery trade compared to other common woodland wildflowers.

Mud Pies and Other Recipes

Mud Pies and Other Recipes: A Cookbook for Dolls (Paperback)by Marjorie Winslow (Author), Erik Blegvad (Illustrator)

April showers bring May flowers. April showers also makes nice fresh mud. This classic book will help you and your children, grandchildren, nieces and newphews create the best available recipes with mud. This is a "splendid table" that even Lynne Rossetto Kasper would enjoy.

Bringing Nature Home: An Urban Yard

Bringing nature home has given a family over 10 years of gardening and birding enjoyment in their own back yard. In 1997 Robert & Marlene Olsen of Saint Paul hired Out Back Nursery and Landscaping to design and install a back yard habitat garden utilizing Minnesota native plants.


The original backyard was lawn grass and a privet hedge along the alley. Common visitors to their yard were European Starlings, English Sparrows, Robins, Mourning Doves and Grackles.

They were interested in an ecological approach to attract more birds. The Olsen’s are avid bird watchers and were interested in wider variety in their own back yard. They were also open to reducing time and resources spent on mowing and watering the lawn.

The design concept integrates native plants from the “oak savanna” and “prairie” plant communities of Minnesota with some formal elements such as hedges and patio. An outdoor room is located between the house and garage with a brick patio.

Hedges of White Snowberry, ‘Regent’ Serviceberry and American Hazelnut surround three side of the patio.

The remaining side opens to the “prairie” garden which covers most of the back yard. 24 wildflower species and 5 grass species are still thriving in the garden today.

11 wildflowers produce seeds for the birds and 8 wildflowers provide nectar for the Ruby throated Hummingbird. A Pagoda Dogwood and Allegheny Serviceberry tree are included in the garden because they have berries that are irresistible for birds like the Northern Cardinal and Cedar Waxwing.

As the garden matures and evolves, the diversity of birds has increased. A supplemental bird feeder and bird bath are located in the garden. They are convinced that the garden and feeders complement each other very well. “We see juncos and finches amidst the wildflowers and grasses throughout the season as well as at the feeder.


The Olsen’s always tell people, “Every garden should have Serviceberry shrubs and Blazingstar wildflowers, these two plants attract birds and look great!” Also, they often remark on how they spend 60% less time mowing and virtually don’t water the garden.


Common visitors: Dark eyed Juncos, Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Black capped Chickadee, Goldfinch, Purple Finch, House Finch, White Breasted Nuthatch.


Occasional visitors: Gray Catbird, Chipping Sparrow, Harris Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Red breasted Nuthatch, American Crow, Yellow Shafted Flicker, Grackle, English Sparrow, Starlings, Robin.


Highlights: Ruby throated Hummingbird (feeds on Fragrant Hyssop, Wild Columbine, Blazingstar, Great Blue Lobelia nectar); Sharp-shinned Hawk/Cooper’s hawk (feeds on songbirds that come to the garden); American Kestrel (feeds on mice)

Cornus sericea (Red Twigged Dogwood)

Photo credit: plants.usda.gov

This plant is an example of how important native plants can be to restoring meaning to our landscapes. We utilize native plants such as this one along shorelines, rain gardens, moist swales and our yards. They adapt well to the local climate. They are native and co-evolved with birds, insects and humans.

There are other ways we can relate to this plant in the urban landscape. Cultural history can add meaning to our relationship with this plant. The Dakota consider this plant valuable because it is part of their ceremonies and prayers. I learned some of these stories from friends that are Dakota/Lakota some years ago. I planted a small grove of these plants in my back yard to remind me of these beautiful stories. My back yard is not saturated with light from alley lights. I can see some of the star constellations that are included in the star lore which includes the Red Twigged Dogwood.

Urban Landscape Uses

Red Twigged Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
This beautiful shrub is excellent for landscaping with. This dogwood is easy to grow and care for. It does not require fertilizers or excessive watering for it to thrive. It adapts well to a variety of soil types and tolerates wet to medium moisture. This dogwood is an important food source for migratory birds. The red stems and branches of this plant stand out in the winter and are often used for outdoor decorations.

Other Uses
What is not as well known is that the Dakota collect the inner bark of this plant during late February and early March. The Dakota do not smoke tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) in their sacred pipes. Instead they smoke the inner bark of this plant. The properties of this plant has healing qualities. Smoking of their sacred pipes often follows a ceremony & prayers.

Star Lore
In the night time sky, during late February and early March the Big Dipper scoops up a hot coal from the "sacred fire" constellation (parts of Leo & Gemini) and lights "the pipe" constellation (Triangulum & Aries). The Dakota believe the earth and the heavens are directly related.

Reference
Lakota Star Knowledge: Studies in Lakota Stellar Theology; compiled by Ronald Goodman of Sinte Gleshka University, Rosebud Reservation

Seminars for Urban Landscaping

I hope you will be able to attend these events.



Out Back Nursery Spring Seminar

Ecological Landscaping
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 ($30 per person) 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Learn about rainwater gardens, invasive plant replacement, wildlife attraction, bio-hedges
erosion control and more.
Attendees will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate for Out Back Nursery
Location: Carpenter Nature Center 12805 St. Croix Trail Hastings, MN 55033
Space is limited; Please call Carpenter Nature Center at 651-437-4359 to make reservations.




Native Landscapes for Urban Yards

Thursday, April 17th, 6:30-9:00 p.m. (Event is Free)
FamilyMeans building, 1875 Northwestern Ave., Stillwater, MN


The main presenter is Erik Olsen, MLA, a native landscape designer with Out Back Nursery & Landscaping in Hastings. Erik will discuss approaches to designing native landscapes for small urban and suburban spaces, and challenge us to bring the natural beauty, ecology, and interest of native plants to our urban yards and gardens. Topics include the structure and layout of a native garden; design issues such as steep slopes, limited sunlight, and plant composition; and use of trees and shrubs to give structure to your garden.

NOTE: Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. we have invited Troy Meacham, Land Manager at Standing Cedars Land Conservancy in Osceola, WI, to preview our June 7th field trip to Standing Cedars. Our main program with Erik Olsen will begin at 7:30 p.m.

WELCOME

This is a journal of urban native landscaping. This is a place to share ideas, thoughts....and explorations of a kind of landscaping that is beautiful and sustainable.

I hope to inspire and promote a way of landscaping that restores an interconnectedness between people, birds, animals, insects and soil organisms into harmonious cohabitations. Your comments are welcome.

Photo credit: Nick from Fort Saint John, British Columbia

UBC Botanical Garden centre for Plant Research

SPRING IS COMING - A flower nation is coming

Pasque Flower Anemone Patens
Ranunculaceae. Buttercup or Crowfoot Family.

This is a deep rooted perennial of dry prairies, sand plains and hillsides. It is one of the first blooming wildflowers of Minnesota. When the Dakota saw this plant blooming amid the melting snow, they would sing a ceremonial song about the Pasque Flower. The words of the song encouraged the other flowers to emerge soon.

Total Lunar Eclipse (Last night)

I went outside into the back yard. The Moon had turned a carnelian red color.... and Saturn was southeast of the moon.... and the bright star just above the moon was Regulus during the eclipse. The winter night constellation Orion was still visible. I am glad my alley doesn't have light posts. It was an awesome sight to behold!!!!